Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1998

Early 1998, the Secretariat received information about the possible construction of a new harbour within the World Heritage site, the extraction of stone and problems in the management of the Park. In response, the Chilean authorities informed that the harbour project was indeed considered some years ago but that this project at present was not being pursued; and that the extraction of stone is strictly controlled by the Council of National Monuments in accordance with what is foreseen in the Management Programme for the Natural Heritage and the Master Plan for the Nui National Park. A close collaboration has been established between the Council for National Monuments and the National Forestry Agency (CONAF) and consultations with the local authorities are taking place. No new authorisations have been given for archaeological excavations, awaiting a specific ordinance for excavations and research.

As to the management of the Park, the authorities informed that a Management Plan for The Nui National Park was adopted in February 1998, copy of which was made available to the Secretariat and ICOMOS.

A comprehensive programme for the preservation of Rapa Nui has been prepared by the National Conservation Centre, the University of Chile and the National Forestry Agency (CONAF) and submitted for consideration under the Japanese Funds-in-Trust. The programme would include items such as: the preservation of stone, cultural anthropology, the environment and equipment.

The Bureau thanked the Chilean authorities for the information provided on the management of the Park and the adoption of the management plan. It requested the Chilean authorities to keep the Committee informed of future planning, infrastructural works and excavations that might be planned for the Park.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1998

Adopted

Draft Decision

22COMVII.43

Reports on the State of Conservation of Cultural Properties Noted by the Committee

VII.43 The Committee noted the decisions of the twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau as reflected in the Report of the Bureau session (Working Document WHC-98/CONF.203/5) and included in Annex IV of this report on the following properties:

Rapa Nui National Park (Chile)

The Mountain Resort and Its Outlying Temples in Chengde (China)

The Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)

Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (China)

Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (China)

City of Quito (Ecuador)

Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).